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United States Patent | 6,099,264 |
Du | August 8, 2000 |
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an in-line fluid pump controller for activating and de-activating a fluid pump which is configured to pump fluid through a fluid line. The fluid in the fluid line is characterized by a flow rate and a pressure. The pump controller is provided with a housing which is connectable in fluid communication with the fluid line. The pump controller is further provided with a valve body which is disposed within the housing. The valve body is in fluid flow communication with the fluid of the fluid line and is sized and configured to move in response to the flow rate of the fluid. The valve body has a first position when the flow rate of the fluid is below a threshold flow rate and a second position when the flow rate of the fluid is above the threshold flow rate. The pump controller is further provided with a pivoting lever arm which is rotably connected to the housing. The lever arm is sized and configured to move in response to the pressure of the fluid. The lever arm has a first end portion. The first end portion has a first position when the pressure of the fluid is either below a first threshold pressure or above a second threshold position. The second threshold pressure is greater than the first threshold pressure. The first end portion further has a second position when the pressure of the fluid is above the first threshold pressure and below the second threshold pressure. The pump controller is further provided with a switch which is disposed at the first end portion of the lever arm for de-activating the fluid pump. The switch is triggered in response to the valve body and the first end portion concurrently being in their respective first positions.
Inventors: | Du; Benjamin R. (Laguna Beach, CA) |
Assignee: | ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (White Plaines, NY) |
Appl. No.: | 140786 |
Filed: | August 27, 1998 |
Current U.S. Class: | 417/300; 137/494; 417/28; 417/43 |
Intern'l Class: | F04B 049/00 |
Field of Search: | 137/117,490,494,114,495,483,101,119.04,115 123/512 126/362 222/38,295,282,293,222 417/28,43,300 60/477,468 74/251 366/340 604/9 57/315 |
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Aro, "Air Operated Diaphragm Pumps"; One page. Liqui-Box Corporation; "Liqui-Box Press"; Four pages. |